behind, fell 1st
towards rear, kept on flat, never dangerous
led to after 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, hampered 6th, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed last, one pace last
always behind
held up, blundered 4 out, soon pulled up
jumped right, led after 2nd to 4 out, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last
in touch, blundered and unseated rider 6
prominent, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 7th, led last, pushed out
in touch, hampered 2nd, led 4 out, hit 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
A repeat of the grim determination shown by Dun Doire when he last raced will be good enough to see off Deja Vu and Le Biassais, who are respected but have been found wanting when things have boiled down to a fight for the line in the past. Others to have a look at include: Avadi and Spring Gamble, who both arrive here on the back of recent wins and are obviously in good heart. The former does have more on his plate in this company, though, and needs to find a touch more improvement from the foot of the handicap, while Spring Gamble has never been the most consistent of performers and he is not one to rely upon too heavily. Le Biassais shapes as if he can pay his way this term and is one to bear in mind when he has proved his fitness. However, like Deja Vu, he does not find winning comes naturally to him and he remains a frustrating character to follow. Therefore, it can pay dividends to side with Dun Doire, whose attitude alone may be enough to see him through against this lot.
Le Biassais (FR) 8-11fav (11-9) Mid-division, headway halfway and in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Vic The Piler (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Apr.
Spring Gamble (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Always prominent, led 10th, clear 2 out, ridden out, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Oct beating Jballingall (10-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Deja Vu (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) In touch, headway 7th, disputed lead 10th, driven 3 out, soon led, jinked right and headed last, ridden and kept on flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Celtic Blaze (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov chs (E) gs in Oct.
Valleymore (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, pushed along after 12th, weakened after 14th, no chance when badly hampered and left 3rd 4 out, 3rd of 6, 27l behind Mon Mome (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (E) hvy in Nov.
Toon Trooper (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Prominent, hit 9th, weakened 14th, tailed off when fell 3 out in race won by Mon Mome (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (E) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Jonny's Kick 12-1 (11-6) Always prominent, led 12th, headed after 4 out, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Theatre Knight (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (E) gs in Nov.
Dun Doire (IRE) 1-2fav (10-3) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov beating Jimmy Bond (10-6) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Avadi (IRE) 7-4fav (10-6) Always prominent, driven to lead 2 out, ridden clear flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) hvy in Nov beating Extra Cache (10-0) by 6l, 7 ran.
